Brexit: Councillors vow to work together to protect region's interests

Representatives from across the political spectrum said the decision may be difficult for the country – and that the impact may be felt for years to come.

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Peter Nutting, the Conservative Shropshire council ward member for Copthorne, said: "I am a bit surprised at the result and I regret that David Cameron is leaving as Prime Minister. But of course his situation had become untenable. He had done a very good job over the years.

"We are now entering an uncertain period for the country. Let's hope we get the right leader to see us through the next few years.

"I would be surprised if a General Election isn't called within the next few months. They can't just put someone in place without asking the people.

"Interest rates will very probably rise and this will have a knock-on effect for local businesses and mortgage payers.

"I think the results of this referendum will be felt in years to come rather than immediately and it is our children and grandchildren who will feel the effects."

Alan Mosley, Labour leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "This has been a great democratic process and whatever our hopes and fears at the outset we should all unite in securing the best possible outcomes from the decision.

"However, the immediate problems in Shrewsbury and Shropshire of the national Tory austerity policies and the massive reduction in our local services are still to be faced."

Many councillors expressed concern about the impact the vote would have in years to come.

Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, said: "This was not the decision I wanted, but we must now all work together to make it work.

"The worst thing could happen is that some politicians continue to fight a decision that has been made by the electorate. We have two years to create a new way of working in business and government that is independent of the EU. It is not going to be easy. The referendum campaign pulled us apart. Now we need to pull together for the sake of all of our futures."

Ioan Jones, mayor of Shrewsbury, said: "I am very disappointed with the result. I have major concerns about jobs in the area, not just in Shrewsbury but also in Telford.

"My concern is that many Taiwanese firms came to Telford on the promise that this would be a way in to Europe for them. Will they now pull out? Now that this back door has been closed to them will they move their operations away from Telford? The number of people that travel to Telford from Shrewsbury is considerable."

David Minnery, Shropshire Council ward member for Market Drayton and town mayor, said he was "surprised" with the way the result turned out. He said: "I expected it to go the other way so I am surprised. I'm not surprised about the result in Shropshire, I felt as a whole it would vote to leave but I thought large cities might want to continue to reap the benefits of the EU but that is clearly not the case."

Councillor Steve Kaye, mayor of Welshpool and chairman of Welshpool Business Forum, said a vote for Brexit means "putting the Great back into Great Britain".

He said: "I don't understand why people are upset about this outcome. It won't change how the country functions but it will mean that we are getting rid of the unnecessary middle man – Brussels. Yes we will see the market fluctuate but it will settle down and for small businesses especially, this move is a good one."

Councillor Lee Carter, member for College ward for Telford & Wrekin Council and cabinet member for finance and service delivery, said he was not surprised by the decision.

He said: "It has been clear to me that for too long politicians have been making decisions which people say they don't feel matters to them and they don't think benefits them.

"It is concerning in the short ham the impact it may have on Telford jobs in particular and we have got to be mindful of that. As a cabinet, we have got to be sure at all times we are doing all we can to make the lives of people better."